REFLEXOLOGY TIPS
FOR THE NECK, SPINE,
HIPS, AND SHOULDERS
Heather Han, LMT, MSCP
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Students completing this course will be able to under
stand the basic theory of reflexology, guidelines on
the feet, joint mobilization techniques for the feet,
and the locations of the corresponding reflex points on
the feet for the for the neck, spine hips and shoulders.
WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY?
A manual therapy focusing on reflex points of the han
ds, ears and feet that affects the whole body.
HOW DOES REFLEXOLOGY WORK?

Pressure on the feet and hands affects all organs gla
nds and parts of the body. The main effects are bring
ing the body to balance or homeostasis, relaxation,
and circulation. Reflexology improves circulation of
blood and energy and stimulates the
parasympathetic nervous system
FEET, HANDS AND EARS AS MAP OF THE BODY
FEET, HANDS AND EARS AS MAP OF THE BODY
IDENTIFY LANDMARKS OF THE FEET
Base of toes- neck line
 Diaphragm – below ball of foot
 Waist- base of fifth metatarsal
 Heel-pelvic line
 Spine
 5 zones on each foot
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50- POINT CHART
ZONE THERAPY
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Zone therapy- what happens in one part of Zone
it can affect any organ or gland in that Zone,
viewed as simplified meridian system
FOOT RELAXATION
Ankle range of motion – dorsiflexion, plantarflex
ion
 Ankle rotation- hand on dorsal, hand on heel
 Foot side to side shake
 Ankle side to side shake
 Toe side to side shake
 toe rotation
 Spinal Twist (medial)
 Metatarsal press (plantar)
 Metatarsal roll
 Foot pinching (lateral)
 Diaphragm tension relaxer

TECHNIQUES
Thumbwalking- most areas, primarily plantar
surface of the foot
 Rotate

REFLEXOLOGY ON THE SPINE

Spine- medial aspect of foot
 Cervical- base of big toenail to below joint
 Thoracic- below joint to waist
 Lumbar- waist to heel
 Sacrum- below heel
 Coccyx- middle heel
REFLEXOLOGY
ON THE
NECK
REFLEXOLOGY ON THE SHOULDERS
REFLEXOLOGY
ON THE
HIP
EUNICE INGHAM AND DWIGHT BYERS
TECHNIQUES
Thumbwalking- most areas, primarily plantar
surface of the foot
 It inches forward not backward or side to side
 Constant pressure applied with lateral edge of
the thumb
 Thumb remains slightly bent while moving
forward
 Support foot with holding hand

GUIDELINES FOR TREATMENT

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Wash hands, trim nails, watch posture, relax, breath,
stay grounded
Take medical history
For client – no stimulants, depressants or heavy meal
s before session
Medication alcohol or drugs may reduce sensitivity
More relaxation and less pressure for first session
For sore areas go to pain threshold, work other areas
and come back, work from different directions
Answer questions in general terms
Encourage rest after the session
TECHNIQUES
Thumbwalking- most areas, primarily plantar su
rface of the foot
 Finger roll- brain- distal toe- applied with pad of i
ndex finger
 Finger walk- dorsal foot, applied with lateral edg
e of index finger
 Hook in and pull back- pituitary, ileocecal valve,
sigmoid flexure- applied with lateral edge of thu
mb, sinking in and hooking slightly
 Rotate- spine, diaphragm, lymph drain

REFLEX POINT LOCATIONS 1-14
1.
Spine- medial aspect of foot
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2.
3.
4.
Cervical- base of big toenail to below joint
Thoracic- below joint to waist
Lumbar- waist to heel
Sacrum- below heel
Coccyx- middle heel
Brain- distal 1/3 of toes
Sinuses- middle 1/3 of toes
Temple- distal 3rd of big toes lateral
REFLEX POINT LOCATIONS 1-14
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Side of the neck- proximal 2/3 of big toe lateral
Eye, inner ear- neck zones 2-3
Middle outer ear- neck zones 4-5
Nose – middle 3rd of toes
Mouth- proximal 3rd of toes
Throat- neck
Jaw- proximal 2/3 of toe, tmj little toe
Teeth gums- proximal 3rd of toes
Pituitary pineal- lateral center of big toes- peak
Thyroid parathyroids- neck
WHY WORK THE FEET?
In use everyday for going places and daily tasks
 Often neglected
 Good substitute for massage when there are cont
raindications in other parts of the body
 Accumulation of tension and debris from gravity
 Anatomical relationship between feet and body si
mple and easy to understand
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EXPLORING THE FEET
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It is important to careful inspect the feet and notice fo
ot conditions
Temperature of different areas
Texture (soft and hard areas)
Bones
Muscles
Tendons
Foot Oder
Cracking in Tissues
Flexibility and mobility
Redness puffiness or swelling
Corns, calluses, cuts, bruises, rashes, etc
WHAT GRANULAR DEPOSITS MAY BE
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When you feel areas of tension or deposits releasing t
hem can improve circulation. Often these places are c
alled “crystals” or “crunchies” by reflexologists. Here
are some of the causes of these irregularities in the fe
et.
Solid acid build up such as lactic or uric acid due to tr
auma, overuse, poor nutrition, lack of oxygen, poor cir
culation
Injured, hardened or inflamed nerve endings
Tension or energy blocks
Tissue degeneration, adhesions or scabs
Pollutants, foreign particles, metallic or fatty accumul
ations and build up
Calcifications such as bone spurs
REFLEX POINT LOCATIONS 1-14
1.
Spine- medial aspect of foot
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2.
3.
4.
Cervical- base of big toenail to below joint
Thoracic- below joint to waist
Lumbar- waist to heel
Sacrum- below heel
Coccyx- middle heel
Brain- distal 1/3 of toes
Sinuses- middle 1/3 of toes
Temple- distal 3rd of big toes lateral
REFLEX POINT LOCATIONS 1-14
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Side of the neck- proximal 2/3 of big toe lateral
Eye, inner ear- neck zones 2-3
Middle outer ear- neck zones 4-5
Nose – middle 3rd of toes
Mouth- proximal 3rd of toes
Throat- neck
Jaw- proximal 2/3 of toe, tmj little toe
Teeth gums- proximal 3rd of toes
Pituitary pineal- lateral center of big toes- peak
Thyroid parathyroids- neck
WHO REFLEXOLOGY HELPS
Elderly
 Children
 Pregnant women
 Overweight
 Athletes
 People who are often on their feet
 People with foot problems
 People under a lot of stress
 Bedridden people

WHAT CLIENTS MAY EXPERIENCE
Deep relaxation
 Balance, centered, mentally clear
 Revitalization
 Light floaty feeling- endorphin release
 Tingling or itchiness form improvement in nerve
flow
 Healing signs from toxin release- nausea, diarrhe
a, sinus drainage, emotional release

TECHNIQUES
Thumbwalking- most areas, primarily plantar su
rface of the foot
 Finger roll- brain- distal toe- applied with pad of i
ndex finger
 Finger walk- dorsal foot, applied with lateral edg
e of index finger
 Hook in and pull back- pituitary, ileocecal valve,
sigmoid flexure- applied with lateral edge of thu
mb, sinking in and hooking slightly
 Rotate- spine, diaphragm, lymph drain

REFLEXES 15-31
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
Esophagus- diaphragm to neckline, medial zone 1 left
Diaphram- diaphragm line zones 1-5
Solar Plexus- proximal to diaphragm, zone 2
Lung- Diaphram to neckline, zone 2-5 right, zones 1-2 left
Heart- diaphragm to neckline, zone 1 right, zones 1-2 left
Thymus- diaphragm to neckline, medial zone 1
Bronchial tube- diaphragm to neckline, between zones 1-2
Shoulder- Diaphragm to neckline, zone 5, between zones
4-5
Lymph Drain- Dorsal Metatarsals between zones 1-2, dor
sal ankle
REFLEXES 15-31
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
24. Ribs/ upper back- Diaphragm to neckline between me
tatarsals down to waistline
25. Breast- diaphragm to neckline, between zones 3-4
26. Liver- Waistline to diaphragm, zones -4 right, zone 1 l
eft
27. Gall bladder- halfway between waistline and diaphrag
m, zone 4 right
28. Adrenal- waistline 1/3 to diaphragm, zones 1 left, zone
1 right
29. Stomach- waistline to diaphragm, zones 1-4 left, zone
1 right
30. Spleen- proximal to diaphragm, between zones 4-5, lef
t
31. Pancreas- waistline halfway to diaphragm, zones 1-4
left, waistline
REFERRAL AREAS
Upper back/lower back
 Fingers/ toes
 Shoulder/ hip
 Upper arms/ Thigh
 Elbow/knee
 Forearm/leg
 Wrist/ankle
 Hands/foot
 Thumbs/ big toe
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PRIMARY AND HELPER AREAS
Primary/ direct – specific condition
 Secondary/ helper- aid and reinforce healing
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REFLEXES 15-31
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
Esophagus- diaphragm to neckline, medial zone 1 left
Diaphram- diaphragm line zones 1-5
Solar Plexus- proximal to diaphragm, zone 2
Lung- Diaphram to neckline, zone 2-5 right, zones 1-2 left
Heart- diaphragm to neckline, zone 1 right, zones 1-2 left
Thymus- diaphragm to neckline, medial zone 1
Bronchial tube- diaphragm to neckline, between zones 1-2
Shoulder- Diaphragm to neckline, zone 5, between zones
4-5
Lymph Drain- Dorsal Metatarsals between zones 1-2, dor
sal ankle
REFLEXES 15-31
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
24. Ribs/ upper back- Diaphragm to neckline between me
tatarsals down to waistline
25. Breast- diaphragm to neckline, between zones 3-4
26. Liver- Waistline to diaphragm, zones -4 right, zone 1 l
eft
27. Gall bladder- halfway between waistline and diaphrag
m, zone 4 right
28. Adrenal- waistline 1/3 to diaphragm, zones 1 left, zone
1 right
29. Stomach- waistline to diaphragm, zones 1-4 left, zone
1 right
30. Spleen- proximal to diaphragm, between zones 4-5, lef
t
31. Pancreas- waistline halfway to diaphragm, zones 1-4
left, waistline
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Training
 Public safety
 Standards of practice
 Consult medical professional
 Self –care
 ( review code of ethics)

REFLEXOLOGY REFERRAL AREAS FOR SPECIFIC
CONDITIONS
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Reminder: “Do not diagnose, prescribe or claim
to treat specific conditions”
Constipation- liver, gallbladder, diaphragm, adrenals,
lower spine, sigmoid, illeocecal
Diarrhea- ascending colon, transverse colon, diaphrag
m, liver, adrenals
Insomnia- diaphragm, call glands
Edema- lymph system, kidneys, adrenals
Tinnitus- ear reflex, cervical, neck , great toe
Headache- whole spine, diaphragm, all glands, toes
Cramps- hip/knee, sciatic, lower spine, parathyroid, a
drenals
Sprain- specific area, referral area
REFLEXOLOGY POINTS 32- 50
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
Illeocecal Valve- medial of cuboid notch between zo
nes 4-5 right
Ascending colon- heel line to waistline, between zone
s 4-5 right
Hepatic Flexure- waistline, zone 4 right
Transverse colon- waistline, zones 1-4
Splenic Flexure- waistline, zone 4 left
Descending Colon- waistline to heel line, between zo
nes 4-5, left
Sigmoid colon- mid heel, between zones 3-4, left
Small Intestines- heel line to waistline, zones 1-4
Kidney- above, on and below waistline, medial tendo
n
REFLEXOLOGY POINTS 32- 50
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
Ureter tube- heel line to waistline, medial tendon
Bladder/ Sacroilliac joint- heel line, medial
Sciatic – lower heel, zones 1-5
Uterus/Prostate- halfway between heel and ankle,
medial
Ovary /teste- halfway between heel and ankle, later
al
Fallopian Tube/ lymph Drain- dorsal ankle
Chronic area- medial aspect of leg, spleen 6 point to
medial heel
Arm/hand- waistline to diaphragm line lateral
Hip/ Knee /Leg- cuboid notch triangle, lateral
Hip / Sciatic- posterior to lateral anklebone
TECHNIQUES
Thumbwalking- most areas, primarily plantar su
rface of the foot
 Finger roll- brain- distal toe
 Finger walk- dorsal foot
 Hook in and pull back- pituitary, ileocecal valve,
sigmoid flexure
 Rotate- spine, diaphragm, lymph drain
